New COVID-19 restrictions are being implemented in Alberta.

According to Premier Jason Kenney, the provincial government has resisted calls for a lockdown in order to protect jobs and the mental health of Albertans. However, with the spread of the virus, new health measures have been put in place.

“We are taking strong, targeted new measures to protect both lives and livelihoods and bend the COVID-19 curve back down," said Kenney.

Tuesday (Nov.24), the province declared a State of Public Health Emergency. Not following mandatory restrictions could result in fines of $1,000 per ticketed offense and up to $100,000 through the court system.

Social gatherings

Effective immediately, mandatory restrictions on social gatherings are in effect province-wide:
- No indoor social gatherings are permitted in any setting, including workplaces.
- Outdoor social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people.
- Funeral services and wedding ceremonies must follow all public health guidance and are limited to a maximum of 10 in-person attendees. Receptions are not permitted.

Schools

In all schools, Grades 7-12 will move to at-home learning on Monday (Nov.30), ending in-person classes early, as teenagers are more likely to spread the virus. Students in early childhood services and Grades K-6 will continue learning in-person until Dec.18.

All students will return to at-home learning after the winter break and resume in-person learning on Jan.11.

Diploma exams are also optional for the rest of the school year. Students and their families can choose whether to write the exam or receive an exemption for the April, June, and August exam sessions.

Businesses

Starting Friday, businesses and services will fall under new restrictions.

Closed for in-person business:
- Banquet halls, conference centres, trade shows, auditoria and concert venues, non-approved/licensed markets, community centres.
- Children’s play places or indoor playgrounds.
- All levels of sport (professional, semi-professional, junior, collegiate/universities and amateur). Exemptions may be considered.

Open with restrictions:
- Maximum of 6 people from the same immediate household at a table and no movement between tables. People who live alone can meet with up to two non-household contacts as long as they’re the same two throughout the duration of these restrictions.
- Only seated eating and drinking is permitted. No other services or entertainment will be allowed, including billiards, games or darts.
- Liquor can be sold until 10 p.m. and food-serving establishments must close to in person-dining at 11 p.m. Liquor sales apply to casinos, but casinos are not required to close at 11 p.m.

Open with capacity limited to 25 percent of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code :
- Retail, including liquor and cannabis
- Grocery stores
- Pharmacies
- Clothing stores
- Computer and technology stores
- HardwareAutomotive
- Farmers markets approved by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
- Unlicensed outdoor seasonal markets
- Movie theatres
- Museums and galleries
- Libraries
- Casinos, offering slots only.
- Table games must be closed at this time.
- Indoor entertainment centres including amusement parks, water parks, bingo halls and racing centres.
- Indoor fitness, recreation, sports and physical activity centres, including dance and yoga studios, martial arts, gymnastics and private or public swimming pools.

Open by appointment only:
- Personal services such as hair salons and barbershops, esthetics, manicure, pedicure, body waxing and make-up, piercing and tattoo services.
- Wellness services including acupuncture, massage and reflexology
- Professional services such as lawyers, mediators, accountants and photographers
- Private one-on-one lessons (no private group lessons permitted)
- Hotels, motels, hunting and fishing lodges

Albertans are also encouraged to limit in-person visits to retail locations, shop local and use curbside pickup, delivery and online services where possible.

These measures will remain in place for three weeks but will be extended if needed.

Measures for regions under the enhanced status

Mandatory restrictions on places of worship, businesses and services are now in effect in areas under enhanced status. These measures will be in place until further notice.

Places of worship are limited to a maximum of one-third of normal attendance per service, physical distancing and masks are required and faith-based leaders are encouraged to move services online.